Soccer star David Beckham gets a goal with Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Retired British soccer star David Beckham received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Friday in the sports entertainment category, coinciding with the U.S. team beginning play in the 2026 World Cup.

The sports entertainment category was announced in 2021 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame. It honors individuals — not teams or sports affiliated groups — who have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment and demonstrated “longevity of excellence.”

Beckham, the former L.A. Galaxy star, received the star because of his founding of the content studio, Studio 99, which specializes in developing and producing premium documentary features, series and formats for global platforms and networks, including Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, Ana Martinez, the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s producer, told City News Service.

Tom Cruise and Beckham’s singer-turned-fashion-designer wife Victoria joined him in speaking at the ceremony outside the Ovation Hollywood shopping complex. Beckham and Cruise have been friends since 2007 when he signed with the Galaxy.

“I give thanks to this country, to the fans that embraced us, the people that welcomed us and made our adventure so much fun,” Beckham said. “I want to thank my teammates, my friends, my team, for always being in my corner and cheering me on. Most of all, I want to thank my incredible family.”

Cruise told the crowd that Beckham changed the face of American soccer when he signed with the Galaxy, creating an excitement for the sport that had never been seen.

“Before David ever played a match for the Galaxy, stadiums across the league began to sell out,” Cruise said. “People who had never watched football — or soccer — suddenly had a reason to. When David arrived, Major League Soccer had 13 teams. Today it has 30.”

Victoria Beckham said her husband “has achieved the extraordinary.”

“And now, with the World Cup upon us, football — I’m sorry, soccer — in America is entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history,” she said.

New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end-turned-“Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan was the first recipient in the sports entertainment category, in 2023.

The second recipient was the late Carl Weathers, honored for a nearly 50-year acting career after playing for the Oakland Raiders, best remembered for his portrayal of Sylvester Stallone’s boxing nemesis-turned-friend and mentor Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” movies.

Tennis legend and feminist pioneer Billie Jean King became the third recipient last year.